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HB 651

South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center/Funds.

2023-2024 Session Introduced by Dean Arp and 7 co-sponsors

Provides $4M over two years to fund a Union County regional autopsy center serving six counties; OCME will reimburse autopsies per the statutory fee via contract once operational.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 651

Summary — HB 651: South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center / Funds

Status: Passed 1st Reading (original bill filed 2023). Effective date in bill text: July 1, 2023.

Main purpose

Provide state funding and a contractual framework to establish a county‑operated regional autopsy center in Union County (the “South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center”) to serve several neighboring counties, and to reimburse the center for forensic autopsy services.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation

    • $2,000,000 in recurring General Fund dollars for FY 2023–2024.
    • $2,000,000 in recurring General Fund dollars for FY 2024–2025.
    • Funds are appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), and allocated to Union County for operational costs and equipment associated with establishing the regional autopsy center.

  • Service area

    • The center is intended to serve: Anson, Cabarrus, Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly, and Union counties.

  • OCME contract and reimbursement

    • When Union County notifies DHHS/oversight entities that the center is operational, the OCME must enter into a contract with Union County.
    • Contract terms:
    • The center agrees to provide independent forensic pathology services for the listed counties.
    • OCME agrees to reimburse Union County for each autopsy performed at an amount equivalent to the fee authorized under G.S. 130A‑389 (the statute authorizing autopsy fees).

  • Reporting and oversight

    • Union County must submit progress reports on the status/operation of the center by December 1, 2023 and December 1, 2024 to:
    • DHHS
    • Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services
    • Fiscal Research Division
    • Union County must notify DHHS, the oversight committee, and Fiscal Research Division when the center becomes operational (triggering the OCME contract).

  • Effective date

    • The act becomes effective July 1, 2023.

Who is affected

  • Directly: Union County (as the facility operator) and the OCME (as contract administrator / payor).
  • Regionally: Medical examiners/coroners, law enforcement, hospitals, and families in Anson, Cabarrus, Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly, and Union counties who rely on forensic pathology services.
  • State budget: DHHS/OCME (administration) and the General Fund (appropriation).

Potential impacts

  • Operational/health‑system impacts

    • Increased local forensic capacity; shorter transport and turnaround times for autopsies and death investigations in the South Piedmont region.
    • Potential improvement in timely cause‑of‑death determinations for criminal and public‑health investigations.

  • Fiscal impacts

    • State cost: $4.0 million appropriated across two fiscal years (recurring amounts specified for each year). Long‑term funding beyond FY 2024–25 is not specified in the text.
    • Local impact: Union County receives funds and will incur operational responsibilities; OCME reimburses per‑autopsy under existing statutory fee schedule (G.S. 130A‑389).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Reports due: Dec 1, 2023 and Dec 1, 2024.
  • Notification to DHHS triggers the OCME–Union County contract and reimbursement mechanism.
  • Effective July 1, 2023 (per bill text).

If you want, I can:
- Pull the current autopsy fee amount under G.S. 130A‑389 so you can estimate per‑case reimbursements; or
- Draft a one‑page memo on likely operational needs (staffing, equipment, case volume) to estimate whether the appropriation is likely sufficient.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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